Miguel Sánchez
For many countries the Second World War changed everything. In fact, after the meticulously planned and executed destruction during that war, it can be said that the world itself is not the same. In the end, never before in history had such a scale of calculated and desired horror been reached. It was, to summarize it in some way, the definitive loss of innocence. The point at which humanity took full account of our astonishing ease in torturing others and destroying ourselves. Furthermore, after 1945 peace did not come. But a tense arms escalation dominated by the appearance of the atomic bomb.
Thus, it can be thought that the situation was not at all conducive to the celebration of automobile races. However, as the factories resumed activity, so did their competition departments. Thus, in 1947 the Mille Miglia returned with its XIV edition and even in 1950 it started the first season of F1. In addition, in 1948 the Targa-Florio returned and in 1949 the 24 Hours of Le Mans were held again. A rapid recovery of motorsports in which two key elements stood out. The first of these was the virtual disappearance of German brands.
Focused on their large series models -or directly on pure financial survival- BMW, Auto Union and Mercedes ceased to be the eternal enemy of the transalpine Alfa Romeo and Maserati. But nevertheless, the second key element was the appearance of a new and voracious competitor in Italy itself. Ferrari. Emancipated from Alfa Romeo since it began producing its own cars in 1947, the team led by Enzo Ferrari won the Le Mans lap with a 166M as well as the Targa-Florio with a 166S Allemano.
In addition, although he did not sweep the lap of the Mille Miglia, he did in its second edition after the war, winning with a 166C. From there, he did it a total of seven more times until the disappearance of the race in 1957. For all this, although the liquidation of the 328 and other German machines was a relief for Alfa Romeo, it was clear that the situation was not given to relaxation. Something had to be done. And it had to be done with materials designed before the war in order to save on the competition program by focusing efforts on the design of new large-series models. The answer to all this was the three Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione berlinettas.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFEGUARDING SPORTS EQUIPMENT
During World War II stories of hidden cars abounded. Unique models created by and for racing that, in addition to their obvious value, they were a sample of highly prized technological advances. Because of this, the concealment of him was a matter of state. Especially in the case of Nazi Germany. Which conscientiously hid not a few competition BMWs and even some Porsches prior to the very existence of the brand. In this sense, the Italians also got down to work.
For this reason, Alfa Romeo hid a multitude of moulds, plans and chassis while dedicating itself to military production. A successful idea. Since if the Alfetta had been in the Portello factory they would have disappeared under the rubble created by the three allied bombardments given at different times of the war. Fortunately, both those single-seaters and various 6C and 8C chassis and engines could be rescued after 1945 for their tuning for racing.
Just what allowed Alfa Romeo to continue standing up in the competition. And it is that, after all, had it not been for this, the Milan brand would have suffered the same fate as BMW. Not surprisingly, his factory was destroyed. Your finances seriously affected. Some of their engineers dead or on the run. The Italian car market demanding more industrial vehicles for national reconstruction than superb racing cars. And, on top of that, Enzo Ferrari launched into a successful career in which beating his old brand was the main short-term objective. Thus, if those pre-1940 sports materials had not survived, perhaps Alfa Romeo itself would not have either.
ALFA ROMEO 6C 2500 COMPETIZIONE, SHORTER CHASSIS AND BETTER AERODYNAMICS
In 1925 Vittorio Jano led one of the greatest mechanical revolutions in the history of Italian motoring with the presentation of the 6C. One of the most successful sagas for Alfa Romeo, but also very interesting in illustrating how engineering was evolving at the time. And it is that with the 6C one of the biggest dilemmas of motorsport in the twenties was solved. Specifically, to increase performance without having to increase the displacement. Quite a challenge, since by winning in motor you also gained in weight and therefore in behavior.
In this way, Vittorio Jano understood the need to create new engines suitable for “a light vehicle with brilliant performance”. Base on which the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 was born. The first example of the saga with its liter and a half cylinder capacity, which gradually increased to three liters in the latest versions created in 1950. However, if we have to choose one of all the evolutions we are left with the 6C 2500 of 1938. Surely the most canonical. Among other reasons for hosting the successful Freccia d'Oro, the elegant Villa d'Este and to the effective Competizione.
Of the latter only three units were produced. Two in 1948 and the third in 1950, using old 8C frames to shorten them in front of the rear axle. In this way, the battle was reduced but also the weight. Even more so if we take into account the choice of a body made of aluminum by Alfa Romeo itself to leave the whole at 850 kilos. What's more, the choice of a nose as low and rounded as possible applied the knowledge acquired by the brand in terms of aerodynamics. Under the hood, a 6C block with 2.443cc and two valves per cylinder was arranged to yield 145CV at 5.550 laps.
One of the derivatives from the original Vittorio Jano design. Perfectly exemplifying this new way of gaining power not thanks to displacement but thanks to the engine's ability to work at high compression. In addition, the rear suspension scheme was redesigned while incorporating new and more efficient brakes. All with the vision of winning the Mille Miglia. The most prestigious race of the moment together with the Targa-Florio and Le Mans. Paths where Alfa Romeo had to defend its prestige against the upstart and wayward Ferrari.
CHASSIS 920002, FOUR CONSECUTIVE MILLE MIGLIA
By 1948 Alfa Romeo already had two units of the 6C 2500 Competizione ready on the starting line of the Mille Miglia. One of them was awarded to the official driver of the Consalvo Sanesi brand. But he crashed it during the test, even losing the roof. The other went to the hands of Franco Rol. A well-known client-pilot in the Italy of the moment, who spent the free time left by his business in the chemical industry racing and sporting. Unfortunately, this one also crashed, although not with as serious damage as that caused by Sanesi.
In this way, his 6C 2500 Competizione was ready for more races during that 1948, winning its class in the Coppa della Dolomiti. A trophy where he was fifth overall that year to climb two places in the following year's call. Undoubtedly the most successful for this unit with chassis number 920002, since in 1949 he managed to finish second in the Targa-Florio and third in the Mille Miglia. Fantastic.
From then on, he competed for two more years with notable results in the same races. Although the 1950 edition of the Targa-Florio was won by another unit that was not this one, but the one piloted by Mario and Franco Bornigia. By the way, in the Mille Miglia that year third place went to the couple made up of Fangio and Zanardi aboard the 6C 2500 Competizione with chassis 920001.
The next year, this 6C 2500 Competition 92002 repeated enrollment in the iconic race to become like this the only unit to have taken the start on it for four consecutive years. And three in the Targa-Florio! More than enough to be not only one of the most iconic competition Alfa Romeos of its time, but also one of the most interesting units in the entire history of the Mille Miglia. In addition, fortunately it is preserved in excellent condition, often worn in competitions such as the Pebble Beach. Can you find a more delicious Alfa Romeo? The incredible thing is that possibly yes. It is what has the imposing history of this brand. A whole world in itself.
Photographs: Bonhams
